Judiciary of Pakistan and Dignitaries from Other Fields Contribute Generously to Diamer-Basha and Mohmand Dam Fund

Water crisis-an existential issue

Water scarcity is an issue which has become a national nightmare. By 2025, our water reservoirs would be dried up and the need for building dams to beat the acute shortage of irrigation water has become the very condition upon which our existence is dependent. In order to respond to this critical issue, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the government machinery to initiate and expedite the process on the emergency basis.

In the regard, the provisions of Article 184(3) of the Constitution of Pakistan, along with Article 9, entitles the Supreme Court of Pakistan as guardians of the fundamental rights of the people of Pakistan. Therefore, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar, has issued required guidelines to the government for the practical enforcement of the seminal rights of Pakistanis, and that is access to water.

Hence, under the provisions of Article 78, an account has been established, on the order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, in the name of the Registrar of the Supreme Court, for collecting funds to build dams.

It is no longer about the quality of life but has become an existential issue for humanity and, in particular, for Pakkistan.

Honourable Cheif Justice of Pakistan expressed his hope that the people of Pakistan would show the same amount of enthusiasm which they came up with in the war of 1965. Moreover, he also contributed Rs. 1 million in this regard to instantly initiate the work for the development of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.

This task requires our devotion and compassion to save the future of our generations. The entire judiciary not only supported, unanimously, the establishment of this fund but also contributed generously. Here is a list for all of you to inspire, and follow in the footsteps of these great souls:

Honourable Judiciary of Islamabad High Court (IHC) donated to the Diamer-Bhasha Dam Fund on 12.7.2018, generously:

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani- Rs. one lakh

Justice Athar Minallah- Rs. one lakh

Justice Aamer Farooq- Rs. one lakh

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb- Rs. one lakh

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani- Rs. one lakh on behalf of his wife.

Among many other dignitaries of the country, Moulana Mohammad Bashir Farooqi, chairman Saylani Welfare International Trust, also called on the Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar, today and presented a cheque of Rs.13 million for donation to Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dam Fund established by the Supreme Court of Pakistan to attend to the severe water-crisis situation in Pakistan.

Attorney General for Pakistan, Mr. Khalid Javed, also donated Rs. 2 million to the Diamer-Basha and Mohmand Dam Fund on 12.7.2018.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan additionally directed the federal and provincial governments and WAPDA for the building of two dams, and to take necessary steps to initiate the process on the emergency basis. The committee involved in this process would submit a comprehensive report within the period of 3 weeks.

Supreme Court of Pakistan also strictly warranted that the donations will not be used in any capacity to entertain any other purpose other than the development of the dams. He additionally appealed to all Pakistanis to make contributions, either in foreign or local currencies for this purpose.

Furthermore, donors to the Diamer-Bhasha fund are going to be exempted from any investigation or legal scrutiny by all authorities inclusive of the tax officers.

Maryam Iraj is a Fulbright scholar for the cross-cultural exchange program to UC Davis and an MPhil graduate in TESL from BNU. She regularly writes for Baaghi and occasionally for other national dailies. Her writing interests are inclusive of sociopolitical discourse, celebrity interviews, and literature reviews.